Total Hands-on Control for Ableton Live Producers

Unlock Ableton Live's full potential with the Akai APC40. This performance controller is designed specifically to work with Ableton Live, and it delivers an accurate, physical manifestation of Live's interface.

The APC40's physical control layout mimics the Live workspace so accurately that all 72 of its knobs, pads and faders are laid out in the same way as their virtual equivalents. And, because it's programmed as a dedicated controller for Live, it's ready to control Ableton right out of the box.

Clip Launch

Just like the scene view in Live, the APC40 features a bank of buttons that associate with the clips matrix in your session. If a slot has a usable clip loaded, it's lit read. To start playing that clip, simply press the lit button, and it turns into a blinking green button. This simple and instantaneous feedback is what makes it such a revolutionary controller: the two-way communication between software and hardware makes the Akai Ableton Live Performance Controller like a second computer monitor that can be interacted with. The five-by-eight button matrix can be targeted at any section of a Live session's clip collection, and the lights change depending on which section is highlighted.

Mix Control

Eight channel faders provide instant level, pan, and solo/mute control over any bank of eight channels in Live, plus there's a master fader. Additionally, a replaceable, DJ-mixer-style crossfader gives the APC40 old-school control over any two channels assigned as an A/B pair.

Device Control

Two groups of eight rotary controllers provide access to Ableton's track and global devices. Select a device and the knobs automatically correspond to that device's parameters, and a lighted ring around the knob displays the current setting level. Switch between track devices without ever reaching for the mouse. It can even record device and fader moves as automation, all from the controller itself.

Tough and Sturdy

The APC40 is a performance-ready tool with a performance-grade build. It's housed in a sturdy, drummer-resistant rubber chassis and is fitted with high-grade rubber feet to keep it from sliding. Taken right from the classic MPC design, the clip launch buttons have a satisfying resistance and rubberized feel, and the knobs are sturdy and smooth.

The Akai APC40 is the most streamlined way to use Ableton Live to transform your laptop from a production tool into a true performance instrument.

Features:

- Designed in partnership with Ableton
- Unique clip matrix with multicolor lighting displays current clip status
- No mapping required for use with Ableton Live
- Exclusive bidirectional communication between the controller and Ableton Live
- Professional feel with rugged, metal chassis and premium controls
- Comes with Ableton Live Akai Professional APC Edition
- USB plug-and-play connection for Mac and PC
- Premium controller with rugged, metal chassis

About Akai

As the makers of the legendary MPC series, Akai has been producing groundbreaking technology-based instruments for decades. They continue to build upon their reputation by designing professional-grade products for today's composers, DJs and performers.

Product Description

The APC40 is the world's finest Ableton Live control surface. Ableton and Akai Professional worked in a joint partnership to make it the perfect Ableton Live control surface. Whether you are an electronic-music performance artist and Live is your canvass, a DJ using Live to mix tracks, or a traditional musician using Live on stage or in the studio, this controller is designed for intuitive, powerful control.

Features:

- Designed in partnership with Ableton
- Unique clip matrix with multicolor lighting displays current clip status
- No mapping required for use with Ableton Live
- Exclusive bidirectional communication between the controller and Ableton Live
- Professional feel with rugged, metal chassis and premium controls
- Comes with Ableton Live Akai Professional APC Edition
- USB plug-and-play connection for Mac and PC
- Premium controller with rugged, metal chassis

Direct Design

Because Akai Professional and Ableton designed the APC40 for Live, you don't need to map its controls to talk to the software. Just connect it to your laptop with its USB cable and you're ready to make magic. It's class compliant, so you don't even need to install drivers. And if you're an advanced Live user, it also gives you the ability to remap every one of its controls to suit your own style.

Virtual View

The controller talks directly to Live and Live talks directly to the controller. This exclusive bidirectional communication makes it an advanced controller in that it can receive feedback from the software and display it on its clip matrix of 40 triggers and on LED rings surrounding each knob. The clip matrix gives you an instant view of clip status: what's loaded, what's playing, and what's being recorded. Each state displays on the matrix in a different color so you can get a quick picture of clip state. You can shift your clip focus and get an overview of the clips you have loaded for your set. It also has 16 knobs, each surrounded by a ring of LEDs. These LED rings make seeing your settings a breeze on dark stages, indicating the currently selected parameters' values. This advanced visual feedback makes performing focused more on the music and less on squinting at the computer screen. In fact, you might even forget that the computer is there!

Premium Controls

Ableton selected Akai Professional as a partner because of its leadership position in great-feeling controllers that are rock solid, rugged, and precise. From the legendary MPC series that changed the way music is made to the industry-standard MPD and MPK controllers, Akai Professional is revered by musicians, DJs, and producers everywhere for creating the feel that powers their creativity. The controller is built with a rugged, metal chassis and slip-proof rubber detailing. Knobs and faders are solid and precise for pinpoint performance. It even features a high quality, replaceable crossfader.

Creative Control

Also included is a special edition of Ableton Live Lite so you can use it out of the box even if you haven't used Live before. There's also a free patch that upgrades full versions of Live so if you're already a Live user, you can take full advantage of the controller.

The controller has two banks of eight knobs. The first set controls Global parameters so you'll always have instant access to your main sends, pans, and other essentials. The second bank of eight knobs is dynamically reassigned to the Track you select. You can control eight track parameters at a time, and as you switch channels, the Track knobs follow your focus. You also get special clip-status views and feedback that only the APC40's matrix can display. The matrix is not limited to only 40 clips: you can scroll and shift, enabling access to an unlimited number of cells.

The eight Global knobs can access four banks of controls; the eight Track knobs control nine different track parameters each. This gives you a massive total of 72 controllers that are dynamically reassigned. Channel faders, bus faders, and a crossfader give you smooth control of key values. You have even more control power with special controls including Tap Tempo, Tempo Nudge, record enables, solo/cues and two assignable footswitch inputs.

Designed in partnership with Ableton, the APC40 is the most advanced Live controller for the most advanced performers.

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Perfect for any type of use"

Sound:
With The Akai APC40 I have total control over my sound, this product is simply amazing. I can manipulate numerous effect inside of Traktor with this piece of hardware.
Feature:
One of the most useful features in this product is the options to use different templates on the software you can map buttons to do a variety of different functions making it easy to have total control over traktor.
Ease of Use:
Overall the Apc 40 is an easy piece of equipment to master. If the user wants to use it with Traktor then he will have to map the buttons, or he can download an already made TSI file online. Either way the ease of using this product is simple.
Quality:
The Quality of knobs and buttons are at top notch on the APC 40. Never ending encoders on this piece of equipment are really reliable. Faders nice and sturdy, they don't feel cheap.
Value:
Absolutely worth every penny
Manufacturer Support:
I have not had any problems with this product so I haven't had to contact AKAI
The Wow Factor:
All of the awesome lights that light up look super fresh in a dimmed light club setting, that is one appealing aspect of the APC40
Overall:
I'm planning on keeping this product for a long time, there are so many possibilities with it. Everyday i'm learning something new that I can do with it.

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zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"The beast that does it ALL !!!"

Sound:
midi Controller. not a sound maker.
Feature:
comes with usb cord and power suply wich must be used to be powered. (it's a beast) . It's 17 inches wide by 14 inches long. It's bigger than I thought it would be. but now that I have it in my set up it really sits well with everything else.
Ease of Use:
Well, you have to have ableton 7 or later. I have ableton ver 5 and it does not reconize the mapping. One must map it out for itself. But It comes with vers 7 le. and I mean it's limited to what it can do. so anyways I downloaded ver 8...Unfreaking real....Wow it really makes things so easy. everything is so perfectly mapped out. Played with it a couple hours to get acquiented with both Ableton 8 and the Akai... they are a match made in heaven. Everything is very well spaced out on the controller. The mapping also can be over written to change the mapping it came with.
Quality:
Absolutely well made. this is not a kiddie toy. it's meant for a pro. the buttons have a strong pushback to them, the knobs are strong, the faders have a good feel to them. Built to last for many many many many...... gigs, sessions, tours, recordings.
Value:
Listen I have bought many controllers to control the software. One for the dj set up, one for the recording sessions, one for performances, so in the long run I believe this akai has just eliminated all them with one shot. So value wise, its really worth it to purchase one at the time since they just came out. Stop wasting money on others, if you use Ableton. because this puppy is really a compliment to the software.
Manufacturer Support:
Haven't had the chance to chit chat with them, been too busy getting to know my new companion.
The Wow Factor:
I'm so excited for now, that I really can't find other controllers that can do as much as this piece of equipment can do . I can not express "enough" how much this controller can do. I guess the only thing that maybe it might add in the future is some keynotes. ( it's a thought).
but for now
Overall:
Overall I'm totally satisfied with the purchase. Absolutely no regrets. It really really really makes working with Ableton Soooo much easier.

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A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

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